June 24, 2005

Of Content And Relationships

Hi Midori,

It's interesting that there would be resistance to an artist going out front to meet an audience after the concert. That doesn't seem like it should be such a big deal given how much people in the concert business talk about trying to connect with audiences. As far as interacting with audiences though, I think that sometimes that distance between performer and audience starts with programming. Sometimes it's not very obvious why pieces end up on a program, other than that there are certain well-established conventions that get fulfilled.

So I'm wondering how you chose the programs you're playing on this tour.

Did you choose the music with this part of the world or these particular audiences in mind? I'm wondering if you notice a difference in Asian audiences compared to those in America or Europe, and if so if you feel a you have a different interaction with them. I'm guessing that if the cultural frame of reference is different, it likely means your relationship is too. So I'm wondering if that affects the way you play - consciously or unconsciously. My recollection of concerts in China is that audiences there are less formal than in the West and that they feel freer to make noise and move around. Does that promote, as you say, a "more natural way of interaction"?